Sony MDR-1000X Review, Best In Class Noise Cancellation

Sonyhas always been among the leaders when it comes to audio devices in the block. Recently the company launched its noise cancelling premium grade headphones called the MDR-1000X. The headphones are priced at Rs. 30,990, and as the price suggests; it is loaded with top-notch technology and high end features.

When it comes to noise cancellation, Bose has always ruled the market with its stupendous noise blocking technology and rich audio output. This time around, Sony has played the ace against the Bose QuiteComfort 35 with this product. I was very keen to put the MDR-1000X over my head and share the experience. In this review, I will be putting MDR-1000X against its price tag and find out if they are really worth it.

Design and Build Quality

Unlike many other known heaphone makers, Sony keeps the design very subtle and simplistic. It may look plain from a distance but once you take a closer look, you will feel the luxury right away. It is made majorly out of plastic but it feels sturdy rather than tacky, that ensure high grade material.

For any device, it is must to feel great rather than just looking great and the Sony MDR-1000X does it the best. It feels premium from the moment you take it out of the carry case. The ear cups have leather like skin which feels soft and looks good if you are using the black ones. The foam stuffed in the ear pads feels very soft and squishy and sits perfectly according to the shape of your head. Looking at the size and features, these headphones do not feel bulky and you can wear them for hours. Even the headband puts the right amount of pressure on your head, and does not feel firm on ears. The headband is made up of polished metal, which looks stunning and matches up to the feel.

After using the headphones for almost a month I did not experience any build quality issues like creaking or clicking sounds from the body. Neither the synthetic leather tends to rip off. Compared to the other competitors around, MDR-1000X looks and feels more premium in terms of design and build quality. It comes with a hard case which has a flat design and takes up less space in your bag. The case will surely add some extra life to your headphones, only if you look after it.

Sony MDR-1000X Photo Gallery

Sound Quality

If you really know music and love it, you are surely in for a treat with the MDR-1000X. One more thing; if you are expecting loud tones, high bass levels then I feel sorry to disappoint you but these headphones are not for extreme bass lovers. The tonal balance is on point, and unlike many other headphones these do not favor any particular range or frequency. The treble is crisp without getting pinchy or loud.

You can catch up with the tiniest of samples or beats, and even the vocals feel crystal clear. Overall, the sound defines quality music and produces a well balanced groove for music lovers. The bass is also plentiful, but the best part is that it does not overshadow the lows and mids in the process.

My playlist has tracks from different genres, be it deep house, grunge, drum and bass, electro or techno. I tried listening all kind of music on this headphone and the output did not disappoint me with any of them.

Performance

To get the best out of these headphones it is recommended to have a Sony phone that supports Hi-Res Audio LDAC codec and SDEE HX which improves the quality of the music files. If you don’t own a Sony Hi-Res Ausdio device, you can always try SBC, AAC and aptX codecs to get high bitstream music from your device.

All the functions are done using an on-board battery which claims to last for 20 hours. The quick action and touch gestures work perfectly and give it an edge over its competitors. The sound does not feel artificial as it does not tamper your music like many other brands.

Noise Cancellation

Noise cancellation is the feature which has added a major chunk to its price. Until now, Bose has been ruling this department with no competition close to it. With hMDR-1000X, Sony has also joined the league and succeeds in blocking the outer world with these headphones.

I used it in a plane, in metros and also while walking along the crowded streets. In such scenarios, Sony does a neat job. You will experience complete disconnection from the noises around you.

Bluetooth Controls, Mic and Other features

You can navigate through music by swipe gestures on the right ear cup. This is one of the coolest things I found in these headphones. It gives accurate response and invisible controls are always fun to have.

The microphone works really well in almost every condition. You do not have to yell or place a hand in front of your mouth while speaking on a call.

Quick listen mode is the smartest mode I found on these headphones. You just have to keep your hand on the right ear cup and the music will fade away. This makes sure that you do not have to take them off while talking to someone or hear things around you.

The NC optimizer also works really well to adjust the noise cancellation according to the listener. You can trigger it by holding down the NC button for 5-6 seconds and it sends out a series of tones which bounce around the side of your head. After analyzing, it balances the sounds if someone has big hair or wears glasses; so that the sound does not leak.

If you want better sound quality you can always use the 3.5 mm wire, which also works after the battery is drained out. Once the battery is drained, the quality drops down and you will not get the best of MDR-1000X

Conclusion

At Rs. 30,990, Sony MDR 1000X competes directly with Bose QC 35 (which is considered to be best noise cancelation headphones in its range). Sony has done a great job with the design and technology of this headphones and it really is worth the price if you look at the overall features.

If you are an extreme music enthusiast and looking for a premium noise cancelling headphones, then you can surely consider these. Highly recommended for users with a Sony device with its Hi-Res codec support.